Well pumping apparatus



Dec. 8, 1942. E. w. REARWIN WELL-PUMPING APPARATUS Filed May '7, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet l W T L w. M M .g W a? 2 W, #0 mm m W742. y 7 4 1 w 4. 7 .0 a; r .9 7 8 12 i 1 MW Z 6 7-$ 5 A A/ r n ,4 a

ATTO/QNEKi .2. W. REARWIN WELL PUMPING APPARATUS Dec. 8, 1942.

Filed May 7, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VENTQR flTTORA/EY.

Patented Dec. 8, 1942 WELL PUllIPING APPARATUS Earl W. Rearwin, Buffalo, N. Y., assignor of onehalf to Fred Dobmeier, Buflalo, N. Y.

Application May 7, 1940, Serial No. 333,816

10 Claims.

This invention relates to pumping systems and parts thereof. The invention relates more particularly to pumping systems for use in connection with oil wells, but it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention for use in oil wells, since this invention is usable in connection with pumping systems for other purposes.

One object of this invention is to provide a pumping system of this type with means for stopping the operation of the mechanism when the level of the liquid in the well falls below the intake of the pump, whereby a waste of power after pumping has stopped is avoided. Another object is to provide an improved float control operated by the pumped liquid, by means of which the operation of the power mechanism may be stopped, when the delivery of liquid ceases. Another object is to provide a float control of this type, by means of which the operation of the pumping mechanism can be easily started manually and stopped automatically.

Other objects of this invention will appear from the following description and claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional elevation of the upper portion of a pumping mechanism embodying this invention.

Fig. 2 is a similar view of the lower portion of the same mechanism.

Fig. 3 is a central sectional view, on a larger scale, of a control valve which may be used in connection with my improved pumping system.

Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation, of a pump which may be used in connection with my pumping system.

Fig. 5 is a central sectional elevation of a power mechanism, by means of which the pump is actuated. v

Figs. 6 and '7 are transverse sectional views thereof, taken approximately on lines 6-4; and 1-1 respectively, Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is an elevation, partly diagrammatic, showing some of the parts of my pumping mechanism which are located above the ground.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of a portion of the float chamber and the float.

Fig. 10 is a sectional elevation thereof, on line l0|ll, Fig. 9.

A represents the ground into which a well has been drilled in the usual manner, and a represents the surface of the ground. The well may extend through different strata of soil and rock, and I6 represents a casing or lining for the upper part of the well IS, the lower end" of the casing usually extending into solid rock so that water present in the upper portion of the ground may be kept from passing into the well. l'l represents the usual enlargement of the well which is generally formed by blasting, and in the case of oil wells, this enlargement is generally located in the oil sand. Generally, the well extends somewhat below the enlargement ll thereof, thus forming a sump or space in which the oil passing into the well through the oil sand may collect. 20 represents a pipe which extends into the lower portion of the well, and which rests on the bottom of the well, the pipe being provided with perforations or holes 2l through which oil may enter into the pipe 2D. The pump is usually located within the pipe 20, which also acts as a screen to keep out large particles of solid matter. 24 represents the barrel of the pump.

In the case of oil wells which also produce gas, the upper end of the casing I6 is generally closed so that the gas may be collected, a cap or closure plate 25 being provided in the construction shown, which may be suitably bolted or otherwise secured to the upper end of the casing to form a substantially gas-tight seal, and 26 represents a pipe by means of which natural gas discharged from the ground into the well may be conducted from the casing IS. The oil or other liquid pumped from the well is discharged through a liquid discharge pipe 21 of materially smaller diameter than the casing l6, and which extends through the cap or closure 25, suitable packing means 28 being preferably employed to form a gas-tight joint between the closure or cap 25 and the liquid discharge pipe 21.

The power mechanism for actuating the pump is preferably located in an enlarged portion of the liquid discharge pipe. This enlarged portion may be formed in any suitable manner. In the construction shown by way of example, I provide a shell or housing 30 which is slightly smaller in diameter than the well l5, and which is provided at its upper end with any suitable head or connecting member 3| to which the lower end of the discharge pipe 21- is connected. This head or connecting member may be of any suitable or desired construction, that shown having a central threaded aperture in which the lower end of the discharge pipe 21 is secured, and the cap may also have a downwardly extending annular flange 32 provided with internal threads which cooperate with external threads on the housing 30 to provide a tight seal between these two parts. The lower end of the shell or housing 30 is preferably internally threaded to form a tight joint with a plug or closure 33. The plug 33 is provided with a central aperture 34 and-also with a lug or boss 35 to which the upper end of the perforated pipe 20 maybe secured in any suit"- able manner, for example, by means of screw threads. The lower plug or closure member 33 may also be provided with a further lug or extension 36 to which the barrel 24 of the pump may be secured, screw threads being also shown for connecting these parts. Any othenmeans may, of course, be employed for providing an enlargement of shell at'the lower end of the discharge pipe 21 and connected with the pump barrel.

The pump may be of any suitable or desired construction and by way of example, I have illustrated a pump including a piston 40 having cup leathers 4| to cooperate with the interior of the pump barrel 24. The piston is provided with the usual central aperture closed at its upper end by means of a ball valve 42 arranged in a cage 43, and 44 represents a piston rod by means of which reciprocatory movement may be imparted to the piston. The lower end of the pump barrel 24 may be provided with any usual or desired foot valve, such as a ball 45 normally resting on a seat formed on a ring or sleeve 46 secured to the lower 7 part of the pump barrel 24. The ball 45 may be ing piston may also be of any suitable or desired construction and is contained within the shell or housing 30. In the construction shown by way of example, the power mechanism includes a cylinder 50 having a piston arranged to reciprocate thereon. The'piston may be provided with any suitable packing rings or cup leathers 52 and is secured to the upper end of the piston rod 44. The upper end of the cylinder 50 has a cylinder head 53, that shown being formed separately from the cylinder 50 and suitably secured thereto. The cylinder head 53 is provided with a port 54 through which the actuating fluid from a pipe 55 may pass into the upper end of the cylinder 50 to exert downward pressure on the upper face of-the piston 5|. The other end of the power cylinder 50 has a cylinder head 51 suitably secured to the lower end thereof. This lower cylinder head has a port 58 through which actuating fluid may pass into thelower part of the power cylinder from a pipe 53 connected with the lower head. The lower head 51 is provided with a suitable aperture through which the piston rod 44 may pass, and packing is provided for preventing the passage of liquid or gas through this aperture in the lower cylinder head. I have, in Fig. 5, illustrated two packing members 50 and 5|, which may be of any usual or conventional form. The packing member 50 prevents actuating fluid from passing through the aperture in the lower cylinder head along the piston rod 44, and the other packing member 5| prevents the pumped liquid from entering into the cylinder 50. Other packing means may be provided, if desired.

The two pipes 55 and 59 which conduct the actuating fluid to the power cylinder 50, extend upwardly above the surface of the ground, and any suitable means may be provided for enabling the actuating fluid to pass through the upper cap or closure member 3|. In the particular construction shown, the pipes 55 and 59 pass through holes in the upper cap or closure member 3|, stufling boxes 52 being employed to prevent-leakage of gas through these holes.

The power cylinder may be secured within the shell or housing 30 in any suitable or desired manner. In the particular construction illustrated, an annular base plateor disk 33 is secured to the shell or housing 33, for example, by means of screw threads on the periphery of this plate or disk and the internal screw threads in the shell 30. This plate or disk 53 forms the supporting base for the power mechanism, and is provided with holes 54 through which the pumped 2 liquid may flow, one of these holes being centrally ,arranged to permit the piston rod 44 to extend The upp r ends of the tie rods are provided with heads engaging the upper cylinder head 53. The tie rods pass through holes in the lower cylinder head 51, which rests upon the base plate 53. By tightening the tie rods 55, it will be noted that the cylinder heads 53 and 51 are both securely clamped into gas-tight engagement with the power cylinder 53 and also the power mechanism is secured to the base plate 53 which in turn is secured to the shell or housing 33. Other means for securing the power piston in place in the housin 30 may be provided. if desired.

The cylinder heads 53 and 51 are at least partly spaced from the inner surface of the shell or housing member 33, as clearly shown in Figs. 6 and 'I, so that the pumped liquid may readily pass between these cylinder heads and the shell 30 into the space between the upper cylinder head 53 and the coupling or closure member 3| of the housing. The pumped liquid may pass from this space through a central hole or bore 51 in the closure or coupling member 3| into the lower end of the discharge pipe 21. A check valve 58 is preferably provided in the lower end of the discharge pipe 21, this valve as shown, seating on a sleeve 53 which maybe secured to the lower end of the discharge pipe. By means of this check valve, the power mechanism within the shell or housing 35 is subjected to the pressure resulting from the static head of liquid in the discharge pipe 21 only when a pump is in operation, so that the risk of leakage of liquid into the power mechanism ismaterially reduced. Furthermore, by providing this check valve 53, in addition to the valve 42, on the pumping piston, a more positive check against liquid passing downwardly out of the discharge pipe is obtained, since any grit or other foreign matter contained in the oil will tend to settle downwardly out of the .oil while the same passes at low velocity through the relatively large space enclosed by the shell or housing 34, thus reducing the chances of having such solid material interfere with the proper closing of the valve 53.

The supply of actuating fluid to the power mechanism is controlled by means of a valve which operates independently of the movement of the power and pump pistons, and preferably, though not necessarily, this valve mechanism is arranged above the ground where it can readily be inspected or repaired or adjusted. This valve mechanism includes a movable member which, when in one position, discharges actuating fluid to the fluid conducting pipe 55, and in another position, to the pipe 53. Any suitable valve may be employed for this purpose, and in the construction illustrated by way of example, I have shown a slide valve I! arranged within a housing ll. 'The housing is provided with a hole or passage connected with a fluid supply pipe I5, and with a pair of exhaust ports or holes I5. The valve shown is adapted for use in connection with compressed air, but if it is desired to employ the same with another gas or liquid, the discharge from the exhaust ports may be collected to be used repeatedly. The slide valve 13 is also provided with holes to which the pipes 55 and 59 leading to the power cylinder are connected. The slide valve is provided with a pair of exhaust ports I5, and with a port I9 through which actuating fluid may pass from the supply pipe I5 to either of the pipes 55 and 59. .When the slide valve I3 is in the position shown in Fig. 3, the actuating fluid is discharged from the pipe 59 through one of the exhaust ports I8 oi the slide valve and the hole or port I5 of the housing, and the supply pipe I5 is connected through the port I9 with the pipe 55. Obviously, when the slide valve I3 is located in its other position at the left from thatshown in Fig. 3, the other exhaust ports I5 and I5 will connect with the pipe 55 and the port I9 will conduct actuating fluid from the supply pipe I5 to the pipe 59. All of the parts of this valve, as thus far described, have heretofore been used and, of themselves, do not constitute a part of this invention.

Any suitable or desired means may be employed for shifting the valve I5 into either of its two positions, and these means should be actuated independently of the movement of the power and pumping pistons. For example, the shifting of the slide valve I3 may be accomplished by means of the increase in pressure of the actuating fluid when the power piston 5| stops mot ing, regardless of whether the stop occurs when the piston is at an end of its stroke or before the piston reaches the end of its stroke. ating fluid is admitted to either of the pipes 55 "or 59, the pressure of the actuating fluid in these pipes will be materially less than that in the supply pipe I5, and will be more or less proportional to the pressure required to move the power piston 5|. Consequently, when the power piston 5| stops moving at or near the end of its stroke, the pressure of the actuating fluid in the pipe 55 or 59 will rapidly increase until it reaches that of the fluid in the supply 'pipe I5. In order to take advantage of this pressure variation in I, the pipes 55 and 59 to actuate the slide valve I9,

I provide a pair of branch pipes 80 and 8| connected respectively with the pipes 59 and 55.

The other ends these pipes are connected to suitable pressure responsive valves 92 and 83 which in turn connect with tubes or passages 95 and 95 connected respectively with heads or caps 55 and 51 which close the ends of the valve housing I4. The pressure responsive valves 52 and 93 are not shown here in detail, since they may be of any suitable well known type, such for example as sai'ety valves used on steam boilers, which open only when the pressure exceeds that for which the valve is set. The valves 82 and, consequently, may be set to open at a pressure somewhat below that of the actuating fluid in the supply pipe I and when the pressure in either of the branch pipes 80 or 5| builds up to the point at which the valve opens, actuating fluid will be admitted into one side or the other of the valve housing I4, thus moving the slide valve I3 from one position to another. It will be noted that the caps or end closure members 95 and 91 When actuoi the valve are provided with small bleeder openings or passages 95, so that when the supply of fluid under pressure to either end of the slide valve I5 is interrupted, the pressure in such end 5 will quickly be reduced to atmospheric.

The pressure responsive valves 92 and 53 are preferably adjustable to vary the pressures at which these valves open, and this makes it possible to control the operation of the power mecha- 10 nism. Fbr example, if it is found that it takes much less power to move the pump piston through its suction stroke than through its pumping stroke, the valve 53 may be set to open at a lower pressure than the other valve 92, thus increasing both the efllciency of the mechanism and its speed. By means of 'these pressure responsive valves, a pumping mechanism may be adjusted for the particular well on which it operates. For example,it the mechanism is to be used on a shallow well, the pressure responsive valves may be set to open at lower pressures than on a mechanism used on a deeper well.

While I have shown pressure responsive valves for moving the movable control valve member 5 alternately in vdifferent directions, it will be obvious that other means may be used for accomplishing this result. For example, time controlled means may be employed for actuating the control valve, or the control valve may be moved in onedirection by a pressure controlled, valve and in the other direction by a time controlled mechanism. Since time controlled valves are well known and readily available, they are not herein shown in detail, it being understood that the valves 52 and 53 shown may be either opened by pressure, or by a time controlled mechanism.

In the operation of the valve mechanism shown, when the slide valve I3 is in the position shown in Fig. 3, so that actuating fluid under pressure is supplied from the supply pipe I5 to the pipe 55, the pressure is transmitted to the top of the power piston 5| and moves the same downwardly to move the pumping piston through its down or intake stroke. When this power piston 5| reaches the end of its downward movement, pressure will rapidly build up in the pipe 55 and the branch pipe 5| leading to the pressure responsive valve 53. This pressure will eventually open the valve 83, thus causing actuating fluid to pass through the pipe into the valve housing I3 at the right of the slide valve. as shown in Fig. 3. This immediately causes the slide. valve to move into a position to the left of that shown in Fig. 3, whereupon the actuating fluid is exhausted from 65 the pipe 55 and the pipe 59 is connected with the supply pipe I5. This pipe 59 conducts actuating fluid to the lower end of the power cylinder 50 and forces the piston 5| upwardly, thus moving the pumping piston 40 through its upward or 60 pressure stroke. Upon reaching the end of its upward stroke, the pressure responsive valve 92 will open, thus admitting actuating fluid to'the left end of the slide valve I3 in Fig. 3. This results in the return of the slide valve into the position shown in Fig. 3. If time controlled valves are employed in place of pressure controlled valves, the action will be similar to that described, except that the valve member II will be moved in accordance with definite time intervals, and not in accordance wi h the pressures in the pipes 55 and 59.

While I preferably arrange the valve mechanism above the ground where it can be readily inspected, yet it will be obvious that if desired, this mechanism may be left in the well adjacent to the power mechanism. The control valve is shown for sake of convenience in Figs. 1 and 8 in a vertical position, but preferably the valve will occupy a horizontal position, as shown in Fig. 3.

The advantage of the actuation of the valve mechanism independently of the full movement of the pistons to the opposite ends of their stroke is that if the pump becoms clogged with any solid or semi-solid material such, for example, as a lump of paraflin wax or the like, the wax may prevent the pumping piston from moving to either operate the pumping mechanism for a limited period of time each day to withdraw the oil which has accumulated, and it is, of course, desirable to stop the operation of the pump as soon as the level of the oil in the wellfalls below the intake opening of the pump. If the: operation of the pumping mechanism is then continued, it not only wastes power, but also pumpsgas out of the well, which is wasted. I have, consequently, provided means whereby the supply of actuating fluid to the mechanism is automatically interrupted when the delivery of liquid to the surface stops. I preferably accomplish this by means of a float arranged to actuate a shut-off valve. In

, the particular embodiment of this feature of my invention illustrated in the drawings, see particularly Figs. 8 to 10, I provide a float tank 99 which is arranged to receive liquid from the upper end of the discharge pipe 21. This discharge pipe, in the construction shown, is connected to the bottom of the float tank 99, but the discharge pipe may be connected to any other part of the float tank below the lower liquid level therein. The upper level of liquid in the float tank is controlled by means of a discharge pipe 92. The float tank contains a float 93 of any suitable/or desired form or construction, that shown being secured adjacent to the one end of a float lever 94 pivoted at 95 to the tank. The short end of the float lever 99 may be connected by means of a link 95 to a lever 91 to which a valve rod 98 is secured which serves to open and close a supply valve 99 by means of which actuating fluid is supplied to the supply pipe I9. Any other connections between the float 93 and the supply valve 99 may, of course, be employed, which would tend to close the supply valve 99 when the float drops to its lower level.

In the operation of the float controlled shutoff mechanismwhich has been described, it will be obvious that when liquid is being delivered by the discharge pipe 21 into the float chamber 99, the level of the liquid will rise to-the level of the discharge pipe 92 and thefloat 93 will, consequently, move to its upper position in which the control valve 99 is open to admit actuating fluid to the power mechanism. Whenthe liquid level in the well drops below the lower end of the pump barrel 24, air or gas will be p mped by the pump and will pass upwardly into the discharge pipe and into the float chamber 92. As soon as a charge of gas has passed into the float chamber 99 from the discharge pipe 2'I, the place in the discharge pipe occupied by the gas is immediately taken by liquid from the float chamber 99, which flows back into the discharge pipe, thus causing the level ofliquid in the float chamber to drop so that the float 93 moves into a lower position, thus closing the, supply valve 99.

- I have also applied to my improved float control, means whereby the operation of the pumping mechanism may be manually started. This can be done in any suitable manner by raising the float 93 to a position above that at which the supply valve 99 is shut off- If the float is held in the float may again drop when air or other gas enters the float chamber. In the construction shown for this purpose, I have provided a link I99, the upper end of which i pivoted at IN on a lug or bracket arranged on the interior of the float chamber 99, and the lower end of the, link I99 may engage a suitable projection I92 on the float 93 oron the float lever 94. If desired, the projection I92 may be provided on its lower face with a notch I93, in which the lower end of the link I99 may engage to hold the link in engagement with the projection I92. It will: be noted that the projection I92 is so located relatively to the pivotal connection I M at the upper end of the link that the link I99, when supporting the float 93 in a supply valve opening position, occupies an inclined position. Consequently, when the liquid in the float tank 99 rises to move the float 93 into its upper position, the projection I92 on the float will move out of engagement with the link I99, thus enabling the link to swing by gravity into the broken line position indicated in Fig. 9. The float is thus released so that it can move intohits lower position whenthe liquid level in the oat tank 99 drops. It will, of course, be obvious that the link or other holding connection for the float must be so proportioned that the float, when supported by the link or holding connection, will be elevated sufllciently to open the supply valve 99, but will be in a position below that which it occupies when the tank 99 is filled to its upper level, so that the float may ris from its supported position to a position in which it will release the support or link I99.

While I have shown my float control applied to a particular kind of power mechanism, it will be obvious that this float control may be em- I99 represents a lubricant dispensing device which may be employed when compressed air is used as the actuating fluid, to lubricate the valve and power mechanisms, I99 represents a pressure control valve for regulating the pressure supplied to the supply pipe I9.

By means of the pumping system described, it will be obvious that the pumping of wells may be very easily effected with the minimum expenditure of power and labor. In order to pump a well, it is merely necessary for an attendant to raise the float sufliciently to support it upon the link I99, whereupon compressed air or other actuating fluid will be admitted by the supply valve 99 to the control valve I3, which in turn conlevel higher than said inlet opening, said inlet I trols the operation of the pumping mechanism. It is unnecessary for the attendant to return to the pump and shut the same oil when he thinks that the available liquid has been pumped from the well, since the float controlled mechanism automatically and efllciently takes care of the shutting ofi 'of the supply of actuating fluid to the power mechanism.

I claim as my invention:

i. In a well pumping system, the combination of a delivery pipe through which liquid is delivered from the well, pumping means for dischargin'g liquid into said pipe, a power mechanism for actuating said pump, a float tank containing a float and to which the delivery end of said pipe is connected to discharge liquid into said tank and into which liquid may flow from said tank, a discharge for liquid from said tank' and connected said tank at a level determined by the upper position of said float, whereby when the liquid level in the well falls below the intake of said pump and gas is discharged by said pump into said pipe, liquid from said float tank will flow back into said pipe to displace gas discharged therefrom, and means actuated by said float for stopping said power mechanism when said float moves to a low position in said tank.

2. In a well pumping system, the combination of a delivery pipe through which liquid is delivered from the well, pumping means for discharging liquid into said pipe, a .power mechanism for actuating said pump, a float tank containing a float and'to which the delivery end of said pipe is connected to discharge liquid into said tank and into which liquid may flow from said tank, a discharge for liquid from said tank and connected with said tank at a level determined by the upper position of said float, whereby when the liquid level in the well falls below the intake of said pump and gas is discharged by said pump into said pipe, liquidfrom said float tank will flow back into said pipe to displace gas discharged therefrom, means actuated by said float for stopopening being arranged to admit liquid and gas to said tank and to receive. liquid from said tank to replace gas discharged through said inlet open I ing, a float in said tank responsive to the liquid level in said tank and being in its upper position when liquid is discharged through said discharge opening, and means actuated by said float to stop the supply of liquid and gas to said tank when said float is in a selected lower position, due to the flow of liquid out of said tank through I said inlet opening.

5. Afloat control according to claim 4, including means for holding said float in anupper position while starting the delivery of liquid to said tank. Q

6. A float control according to claim'4,-incl-uding means for temporarily holding said float slightly below its upper position for starting the delivery of liquid to said tank, said float being released from said holding means when said float is moved into its upper position by liquid in said float tank.

7. In a well pumping system for pumping all of the available liquid out of a well, the combination of a pump arranged to be located in a well, a pow-, er mechanism for actuating said pump, a delivery pipe extending from said pump to the upper end of the well, a tank into which liquid pumped from the well is discharged, and means responsive to a decrease in the quantity of liquid in said tank for interrupting the actuation of said pump by said power mechanism.

8. In a well pumping system for pumping all i of the available liquid out of a well, the combination of a pump arranged to be located in a well, a .power mechanism for actuating said pump, a

delivery pipe extending from said pump to the upper end of the well, means for manually startping said power mechanism when said float moves to a low position in said tank, and means for temporarily holding said float in an upper position for starting the operation of said power mechanism, said means being released when said float moves into its upper position.

3. In a well pumping system, the combination of agdelivery'pipe through which liquid is deliving liquid into said pipe,- 9. power mechanism for actuating said pump, a float tank containing a float and to which the delivery end of said pipe is connected to dischargeliquid into said tank and into which liquid may flow from said tank, a discharge for liquid from said tank and connected with said tank at a level determined by the upper position of said float, whereby when the liquid level in the well falls below the intake of said pump and gas is discharged by said pump into said pipe, liquid from said float tank will flow .back .into said pipe to displace gas discharged therefrom, means actuated by said float for stopping said power mechanism when said float moves to a low position in said tank, and a link which may be movedinto holding engagement with said float for supporting said float'in a position slight- .ered from the well,pumping means for discharg- 1 ing the operation of said pump throughsaid Y power mechanism, a tank into which liquid pumped from the well'passes and from which liquid is discharged, and'means responsive to a decrease in the'quantity of liquid in said tank for interrupting the actuatingof said pump by said power mechanism.

9. In a well pumpingsystem for pumping all 1 of the available liquid out of a well and including a pump arranged to be located in a .well, a power mechanism for actuating said pump, and

a delivery pipe extending from said pump to the j upper end of the well, the combination of means for manually starting the operation of said actuating mechanism, means for maintaining the higher level'than'said inlet for maintaining a vsubstantially constant level of liquidin said tank while liquid is passing into said tank through. V

said inlet said inlet being arranged to permit the discharge of liquidtherethrough to replace gas discharged through said inlet, and means responsive to a decrease in the quantity of liquid EARL W. REARWIN. 

